The practice of meditation is like learning to play an instrument - it takes patience, regular practice, and a gentle touch.

What we call "I" is just a swinging door which moves when we inhale and when we exhale.

If we learn to open our hearts, anyone, including the people who drive us crazy, can be our teacher.

The truth you believe and cling to makes you unavailable to hear anything new.

To be in harmony with the wholeness of things is not to have anxiety over imperfection.

In my youth I studied, in my prime I practiced, now all my doubts are cleared.

The dharma is not about collecting more beliefs but about becoming free from the power of belief itself.

Meditation is the road to happiness.

External seeking only leads to exhaustion. When you imitate others, you lose your own authenticity.

Compassion is not something we develop. It arises naturally as we see the truth of what is.

When both body and mind are at peace, all things appear as they are: perfect, complete, lacking nothing.

Right practice is steady practice. Whether you feel lazy or diligent, just keep practicing.

Let go of what has passed. Let go of what may come. Let go of what is happening now. Don't try to figure anything out. Don't try to make anything happen. Relax, right now, and rest.

The color of the mountains is Buddha's body; the sound of running water is his great speech.

The most important point is to accept yourself and stand on your two feet.

Our basic nature is pure awareness that simply cognizes experience. Everything else is temporary and adventitious.

There is no need to have a deep understanding of Zen. Even though you read much Zen literature, you must read each sentence with a fresh mind.

At the bottom of great doubt lies great awakening. If you doubt fully, you will awaken fully.

When you realize how perfect everything is, you will tilt your head back and laugh at the sky.

Every being has the potential of becoming a Buddha. Our true nature is Buddha nature.

The sign of wisdom is constant joy.

Forgiveness is letting go of the hope that the past could have been any different.

The victorious ones have said that emptiness is the relinquishing of all views. Those who are possessed of the view of emptiness are said to be incurable.

True happiness is born of letting go of what is unnecessary.

The restraint of the senses is not a matter of suppression but of wise attention to our experience.

Live in joy, in love, even among those who hate. Live in joy, in health, even among the afflicted. Live in joy, in peace, even among the troubled. Look within, be still.

Hatred does not cease by hatred, but only by love; this is the eternal rule.

The ultimate source of a happy life is warm-heartedness. This means extending to others the kind of concern we have for ourselves.

The nature of mind is clearer than the sky, yet we keep looking elsewhere.

The practice of patience guards us against losing our presence of mind.

When you note pain, you should not dwell on the thought, "I feel pain." Simply recognize the presence of pain.

The path of practice moves from faith through understanding to direct realization.

The secret of happiness lies not in getting what we want, but in learning to want what we already have.